Chapter 49: Sweet Nothings

The following day, both Yuurei and Akuma left their house after lunchtime and headed to the public library again. Since they didn't have that much to work on, everyone decided to meet in the afternoon. Once they reached their destination, the two of them first enjoyed the blast of cool air that greeted them upon entry. They then went to the table they used the previous day. Angelie and Sanaka were already there. Sanaka was intently reviewing the mistakes she made in her midterm test.

Yuurei sat down again beside Angelie. She put her bag down on the table and took out her notes and books. Angelie then took from her bag the mock midterm test she had Yuurei answer yesterday.

"Here, Yuurei-chan. This is the result of the mock exam I made for you."

Angelie smiled at Yuurei.

"I'm too nervous to look at this, Onee-san…"

Yuurei closed her eyes as she took the papers in her hands.

"Just take a look at it. It's the proof of your hard work."

Angelie grabbed Yuurei's hand.

"O-okay, if you say so…"

Yuurei slowly opened one of her eyes and took a peek at the score.

"See?"

"Wow, I got a 70! That's like, a good score! Right, Onee-san?"

Yuurei wholeheartedly smiled at Angelie.

"Yes, now we just have to work a little harder so that translates into your real midterms. We can start by checking what you got wrong."

Angelie smiled back at Yuurei. She then let go of Yuurei's hand and started to organize her things to prepare for their study session that day.

"Thank you, Onee-san. Really… I was so hopeless in studying… but you really helped me…"

Tears started to crawl down Yuurei's cheeks.

"Hey, you did all the hard work. I just helped a little. Be prouder of yourself. And you still have the real tests coming so we should continue working harder!"

Angelie wiped the tears on Yuurei's eyes with a handkerchief.

"Okay, Onee-san!"

Yuurei smiled while sniffling.

---

After Angelie gave Yuurei a few pointers on where to focus for the rest of the day, she then turned her attention to Sanaka and Akuma.

"Hmm, let's see your progress, Sanaka-san."

Angelie leaned over Sanaka's shoulder and checked her answers.

"I've been doing my best too! Even though I think I should just study for the finals instead of doing this."

Sanaka crossed her arms together.

"You've improved too, Sanaka-san. Keep it going until this term's finals!"

Angelie touched Sanaka's shoulders.

"What? I have to keep studying?! But that's what the week before the finals is for!"

Sanaka put her head on top of the table with her hands stretched out on the table as well.

"And how about you, stupid Demon Lord?"

Angelie then turned her attention to Akuma's work. She checked intently his answers.

"Would you hurry it up? I want to go home already."

Akuma looked away as Angelie checked his papers.

"You improved. But only a tiny bit. Well, progress is progress even for idiots, I guess."

Angelie stood straight and went back to her seat.

"Tsk. Being so full of yourself must be so gratifying."

Akuma placed his head on the back rest of his chair and closed his eyes.

"Oh, it beats being dumb like you."

Angelie smirked at Akuma.

(Oh, look at how they encourage themselves to be better! They really are a match made in heaven! I have to make sure to watch over them.)

Yuurei grinned as Angelie and Akuma threw insults at one another.

---

They were done studying late in the afternoon. They decided to have a snack first before going home. Sanaka was the first to leave and went ahead to the taiyaki shop just beside the library. Realizing that it was another chance to leave the two alone, Yuurei quickly followed after Sanaka. Akuma and Angelie were left behind.

"Here, as promised."

Angelie stood up while carrying all her things and then handed Akuma the manga she took from him previously.

"Ah! I was supposed to finish this during the weekend! I wasted too much precious time."

Akuma quickly took it from Angelie.

"I thought it was good. I can't wait for the next volume. Though I doubt I'd have the money for that."

Angelie giggled as she covered her mouth. Akuma was staring at her.

"I don't mind lending the poor my manga. After I finish reading it when it's out, I'll let the underprivileged borrow it."

Akuma averted his gaze from Angelie and then stood up.

"I don't need the charity! B-but if you insist, t-then there is no reason to say no."

Angelie also looked away.

"You can consider it as thanks for helping my sister in her studies. And ONLY because of that. It's something I can't do for her. Anyway, I guess you've kind of earned it."

Akuma started to walk and head for the exit. Angelie smiled slightly as Akuma couldn't see her.

"Of course, it is. Because you're too hopeless to even teach!"

Angelie went after Akuma to make sure he heard what she said.

---

Akuma and Angelie arrived at the taiyaki shop beside the library. Sanaka already bought a bunch taiyaki and placed them inside a paper bag. Yuurei bought one for herself, and one each for Akuma and Angelie.

"Here you go, Onee-san. I bought custard-filled for you. And I got chocolate-filled for you, Onii-chan."

Yuurei handed it over to the two when she saw them coming.

"Thank you, Yuurei-chan. How much was it?"

Angelie reached into her bag.

"Onee-san! It's my treat."

Yuurei grabbed Angelie's hand that was reaching inside the bag.

"Oh. Well, I appreciate it."

Angelie smiled at Yuurei.

"Hey, Yuurei. I wanted custard-filled."

Akuma complained after taking a bite out of the chocolate-filled taiyaki in his hand.

"You didn't tell me that earlier! And you have to pay me for yours!"

Yuurei glared at Akuma.

"You're such a baby. Give me that!"

Angelie snatched the chocolate-filled taiyaki from Akuma and then she shoved the custard-filled one into his other hand.

"Hey, I already took a bite out of that—"

"You should just thank your sister she bought one for you! Always complaining about every little thing!"

Angelie put her finger on Akuma's chest.

(Wow! Now they're exchanging food so that the other can have a taste of each other's food! I think these two really made good progress over the weekend. I'm sure their relationship will further blossom as long as I'm around to guide them!)

"Anyway, I going on ahead. Thanks again for this, Yuurei-chan. And see you tomorrow, Sanaka-san!"

Angelie waved goodbye as she walked away from the taiyaki shop.

After walking for a while, she looked at the taiyaki she was holding. She decided to bite into it. When it was close to her mouth, she noticed that there was already a part that was bit off.

"Darn that Demon Lord! Why is a part already bitten off?! Is he trying to poison me with his s-saliva?!"

She then realized that she almost had and indirect kiss with Akuma. She quickly motioned to throw the taiyaki into the trash. But before she could throw it away, she stopped at the last moment.

"I don't want to waste Yuurei-chan's money…"

In the end, she just tore off the part where Akuma already took a bite.

---

Back at the taiyaki shop, Sanaka said goodbye to Yuurei and Akuma. She walked away holding a paper bag filled with taiyaki. Yuurei and Akuma started to walk toward the train station.

"I had fun this weekend, Onii-chan."

Yuurei talked while she chewed her taiyaki.

"More than having fun, you should have learned something from that crazy Saint."

Akuma was also eating his taiyaki.

"Why do you call her that, Onii-chan? I do understand why she calls you 'Demon Lord', though.

"You do?!"

Akuma looked at Yuurei who was walking beside him.

"Yeah. It's because you're two timing with another girl. In front of her, no less! But not for long! As long as I'm around, I'd fight for her."

Yuurei pumped her fist as she looked up.

"Uh, I think you're imagining stuff, Yuurei."

Akuma shook his head while his hand was on his face.

"Typical of what a guy would say when caught in the act!"

Yuurei pointed at his brother as she glared at him.

"Caught doing what?! Ah, you've been influenced too much by that damn Saint. I shouldn't have let you meet her…"

Akuma slumped his shoulders.

"Well, I'm glad to have met Onee-san. Because of her, I have made a major decision in my life!"

Yuurei put her hands on her waist.

"And what would that be?"

Akuma stared at Yuurei with his lifeless eyes.

"I'll enroll in Seihou High School next year!"

Yuurei nodded her head a few times.

"What? You want to go to our school?! Why?"

Akuma's jaw dropped as he looked at his joyous sister.

"Well, I’d like to experience school with Onee-san! With her around, I have no need to fear studying. But most importantly… To watch over you two, of course!"

Yuurei smiled at his brother.